It’s hard to believe that Doug Liman’s newest film The Instigators is the first two-hander Matt Damon and Casey Affleck have starred in together since 2002’s Gerry. Sure, the two long-time friends have been working together in the meantime, both even appeared in Oppenheimer, but we haven’t seen them play off of one another in a hot minute. And while it’s nice to see them running around the Boston Metropolitan area together, their dynamic as two criminal lackeys with awful luck, leaves you wanting more.
Damon plays Rory, a Boston-based veteran currently struggling his way through therapy. Hong Chau plays his well-meaning no-nonsense therapist Dr. Donna Rivera, who picks up on his suicide plans. To follow through on them, Rory just needs to pay the $32,480 to his ex-wife so he can die with dignity. To do that, he agrees to participate in a robbery for Mr. Besegai (Michael Stuhlbarg), orchestrated by a clueless member of his gang (Jack Harlow). Joining him is ex-con Cobby (Affleck) who is presumably there for his 10% cut of the take. Why Besegai wants to rob Democratic Mayor Miccelli (Ron Perlman) isn’t well-communicated but it’s clear that this job is just a setup for the rest of the film.
Co-written by Affleck and Chuck MacLean (best known for penning the Kevin Bacon police drama City on a Hill), the film follows Cobby and Rory as their initial plan – and every plan after that – goes wrong. As they blow up a beach house, break into a local bar, kidnap Dr. Rivera, hide from the mob and evade the cops, their reluctant relationship turns more and more friendly.
The supporting cast is stacked. Stuhlberg has made a career playing unlikeable douchebags and here is no exception. Playing his affable and sweet # 2 is Alfred Molina, who isn’t given much to do. Toby Jones has maybe five lines throughout the film as the mayor’s advisor, while Paul Walter Hauser shows up for a hot minute to threaten them. Each supporting performance, including Chao, is a welcome reprieve from Damon and Casey’s dynamic, which never finds its footing.
Throughout the film, Affleck’s character points out how Damon never laughs at his jokes. While there are a few good one-liners in the movie, Affleck’s delivery feels meta, like he’s asking the audience why they aren’t laughing. While The Instigators is a solid Doug Liman film, the tone Damon brings is a downer. If they wanted to make a buddy-thief movie with substance, pick a heavy topic conducive to the story. Having a broke veteran with mental health issues go after a corrupt mayor just because he needs money for child support doesn’t work thematically the same way as connecting the corruption back to something the character is struggling with.
As a director, Doug Liman knows how to bring out the best in each script he’s given and for the most part, The Instigators is a fun ride. Sure, it’s no Swingers or The Bourne Identity, but it’s as good if not better than this year’s Road House which was a decent remake. Damon and Casey may be the draw of this film, but Liman knows when to utilize Chao and the story is better for it.
The Instigators is now streaming on Apple TV+. Watch the trailer below.
